Unionized workers in Windsor make $7.43 more per hour than non-unionized workers according to a study released Wednesday by the Canadian Labour Congress.

Windsor’s unionized wage rates also bettered the provincial average wage gap of $6.42 per hour between the non-unionized and unionized workforces.

The report examined the wages for unionized and non-unionized workers in 76 metropolitan and other census areas in Canada.

CLC president Hassan Yussuff said those wages have a ripple effect in the region’s economy.

“The extra earnings by unionized employees translate into an added $12.02 million every week paid into the local community,” said Yussuff, who added Ontario’s unionized workers account for an extra $366.2-million a week in the provincial economy.

“We are proud of the contributions our members have made to build a stronger middle class and a more secure economy for everyone who lives here.”

The study also found a relationship between the level of unionization in a centre and a more varied selection of businesses and services offered in that community.

“Union members spend their pay cheques close to home and that helps local businesses,” said Yussuff, who heads the national labour body representing over three million workers.

“We bolster the tax base which also supports public works, community services and charities.”

Yussuff said being in a union is particularly beneficial to women and younger workers.

The study reported that in Ontario, unionized female workers make $7.83 per hour than non-unionized female workers.

Ontario workers aged 15 to 29 make an extra $2.69 per hour if they belong to a union.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.